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This Chicken Enchiladas Verde recipe is made with tender chicken, corn tortillas, melted cheese, and a tangy tomatillo salsa. Baked in a small dish, it’s an easy single serving meal that’s full of classic Mexican flavor.
Featured Comment
“Loved this recipe. Tasty, easy and quick using leftover rotisserie chicken…”
– Michele
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Simple layering makes assembly fast.
- Uses Leftover Chicken: A delicious way to repurpose cooked or rotisserie chicken.
- Perfect Portion: Sized for one, with the option to double for two.
- Full of Flavor: Cheesy, saucy, and satisfying in every bite.
- Convenient: Pre-cooked chicken and jarred salsa verde save time.
I love making Chicken Enchiladas Verde this way because it has all the flavors of the classic dish without the extra steps. Instead of rolling tortillas, I layer the chicken, cheese, and salsa verde in a small baking dish, which makes it so much easier while still delivering the tangy, cheesy goodness I enjoy.
Use rotisserie chicken for this dish and if you’ve got extra, make four more recipes from our 5 Meals From 1 Rotisserie Chicken series.
Serve with Spanish rice for one, a small Mexican corn salad, guacamole for one and fresh pico de gallo.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch chicken enchiladas verde recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder
- Chicken: Use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience. If you don’t have cooked chicken, sauté a diced boneless, skinless chicken breast in butter with a little salt and pepper until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Extra chicken can also be used in chicken spaghetti for one, chicken tacos for one, or a chicken and rice bowl.
- Corn tortillas: Traditional for enchiladas and hold up well with sauce. If using flour tortillas, you can skip the frying step. Use extra tortillas in a small batch King Ranch Chicken Casserole.
- Oil: Neutral oils such as avocado, vegetable, or canola are best for frying tortillas since they don’t overpower the flavors.
- Salsa Verde (tomatillo salsa): A tangy green sauce made with tomatillos, garlic, onions, and peppers that gives enchiladas verdes their signature taste. Find it jarred or refrigerated at most grocery stores. Good options include Mitierra, Xochitl Asada Verde Salsa, and Herdez Salsa Verde.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Variations
Switch up these salsa verde chicken enchiladas with a few simple changes:
- Shredded Beef: Use shredded beef from our slow cooker ropa vieja recipe instead of chicken.
- Cheese Options: Try Monterey Jack, cheddar, or add cream cheese for extra richness.
- Spicier Enchiladas: Mix in diced jalapeños or use a hotter green salsa.
- Vegan Option: Replace the cheese and chicken with plant-based alternatives.
- Low-Carb: Swap tortillas for lettuce wraps to cut back on carbs.
How To Make Chicken Enchiladas Verde
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make chicken enchiladas verde for one person. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Fry the tortillas: Heat oil in a pan and fry each tortilla until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels.
- Assemble the enchilada:
- Spread a layer of salsa on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Place 1 tortilla on top of the salsa, add half of the chicken, and sprinkle with cheese.
- Add another tortilla, then repeat with the remaining chicken and more cheese.
- Top with the final tortilla, cover with the remaining salsa, and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Expert Tips
- Chicken Prep: Rotisserie chicken is quick, flavorful, and saves time.
- Baking Dish: A lightly greased 5×5-inch baking dish is the perfect size.
- Salsa: Spread salsa evenly on the bottom and top for balanced flavor.
- Cheese: Shred your own for the best melt, since pre-shredded cheese has additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but skip the frying step since flour tortillas don’t need it.
Briefly fry them in oil or warm them in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel to make them more pliable.
To make enchiladas for two, use a 6×8-inch baking dish and double all the ingredients. Follow the same layering and baking steps.
They keep well for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small batch chicken enchiladas verde recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Chicken Enchiladas Verde For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup canola oil or use vegetable oil or avocado oil
- 3 (8-inch) corn tortillas
- 6 ounces cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup tomatillo sauce
- ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional Toppings
- sliced avocados
- fresh chopped tomatoes
- sour cream
- crumbled cotija cheese
- chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Fry Tortillas: Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds. Fry each tortilla for 20 seconds, or until lightly browned. Place the fried tortillas on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Assemble the Enchiladas: Spread 1-2 tablespoons of tomatillo sauce on the bottom of a small baking dish.Place one tortilla on top of the sauce. Add half of the cooked chicken and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of cheese.Add another tortilla, layer with the remaining chicken, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of cheese.Top with the last tortilla, cover with the remaining tomatillo sauce, and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Notes
- Chicken Prep: Rotisserie chicken is quick, flavorful, and saves time.
- Baking Dish: A lightly greased 5×5-inch dish is the ideal size.
- Salsa: Spread salsa evenly on the bottom and top for balanced flavor.
- Cheese: Shred your own for the best melt, since pre-shredded cheese has additives.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Another good recipe from Joanie. I don’t know how she does it but I have yet to find a recipe where she does not capture the flavors of the nationality the dish is from. I am not a big fan of tomatillos however the salsa verde in this dish gives it a very fresh flavor and not as spicy as regular salsa. Instead of frying up corn tortillas I used restaurant style tortilla chips from my groceries Deli area. I would not recommend name brand bag chips. I also added some diced pepperoncini peppers and mushrooms I needed to use up. I went heavy on the cheese. Again, your recipes are so versatile that they allow you to make adaptations to your need or liking. Thank you Joanie for making cooking so much fun, tasty and healthy.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the enchiladas! I love how you adapted the recipe with your own touches — it sounds wonderful.
Absolutely fabulous. I made some minor changes:
I air fried the tortillas to reduce the amount of fat.
I added chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in the layers with the chicken to boost my vegetable consumption.
Will definitely make again and again.
Made the Chicken Enchilada Salsa Verde. It was great. Didn’t have the Monterey Jack Cheese used Coby Jack Cheese. It does have a spicy kick to it I would not add any more spice to it. And I would serve it with sour cream. I will make again.
I just made your recipe for taco casserole and purchased tostados. Would the tostados work in place of the corn tortillas? Also, I wouldn’t have to heat the tostados since they are already crispy?
Yes, tostadas should work just fine in place of the corn tortillas! You’re right—you can skip the step of softening or frying the tortillas since tostadas are already crisp. Just keep in mind they may soften a bit once layered with the sauce, but they’ll still add great flavor and texture.
Love this recipe. I used medium salsa and gave the dish a bit of a kick. I’ll be making this again.
I grew up by the border and with a little “this and that”, you’ve got a winner.
Great little dish.
I substituted tortilla chips for the corn tortillas to skip the frying part. Salsa Verde (Great Value) was also substituted for the tomatillo sauce. The result is delicious. So much so, I made again a couple days later. Yum
I’m making this tonight and will add a little taco seasoning in my rotisserie chicken and add refried beans on tortillas before the chicken. I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the inspiration 😁
So easy to adapt! Today used red salsa, taco leftover chopped pork and Cheddar cheese. As an 87 year old widow, your recipes give me something tasty for a meal. Thank you!
Delish! So easy.
Made this tonight and it was so delicious! When I was cooking the chicken, I put in a Tablespoon of my Cowboy Candy which spiced up the chicken a bit. I didn’t have the Salsa Verde, so I ran to the store and got it. Just as I was bringing it in the house, the bag broke all over the floor. Went back to the store. This recipe did not disappoint and I added one more layer since it’s for the two of us. I served it with Spanish Rice and topped it with lettuce, sourcream, black olives, and pico de gallo with a side of sliced avocado. This was husband approved, but more important to approval is that “I” liked it!
I’m so glad you both enjoyed the enchiladas, thank you so much for your feedback.
I made this recipe yesterday and enjoyed it very much. With my small appetite, I made 2 meals out of it. I want to try the beef enchiladas for one next.
Fixed last night was delicious. Will be one of my frequent recipes to use. Added sour cream and cilantro with refried beans on the side.
Sounds wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed the enchiladas.
I love hatch enchilada sauce and was wondering about switching it out for the salsa verde. First I need to check on sodium levels and fat content. I was wondering what you thought??
Sounds like a great idea, Debra.
Hi Joanie,
Is there a sub for the tomatillo?
You can use your favorite brand of salsa instead.
Made this tonight and loved it. It was hot and muggy here so my only change was to microwave it. I cooked it for 4 minutes and it was perfect. Thank you for you recipe.
I have never had this but I’m going to try making it. How do you serve this? Or do you just eat from the cooking dish?
Wonderful! It is a very tasty dish and I hope you enjoy it. You can either eat it from dish or serve it on a plate.
Loved this recipe. Tasty, easy and quick using leftover rotisserie chicken. I had never cooked with salsa verdes before.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much for your feedback.
This is an awesome recipe! I have homemade canned tomatillo sauce that was delicious and replaced the chicken with burger because thats all I had on hand. I will definitely make this again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for your feedback!
Lovely recipe. Delicious.
Delicious
Can I achieve the same crispness by air frying the tortillas?
I don’t know, Lorraine. I haven’t tested this recipe by air frying the tortillas.
Yes. Air fried tortillas work great on this recipe. Each Tablespoon of oil is 100 calories, so air frying saves a lot of calories